''The Individualist'' is a 1995

album An album is a collection of audio recordings issued on compact disc (CD), Phonograph record, vinyl, audio tape, or another medium such as Digital distribution#Music, digital distribution. Albums of recorded sound were developed in the early ...

Todd Rundgren Todd Harry Rundgren (born June 22, 1948) is an American multi-instrumentalist, singer, songwriter, multimedia artist, sound engineer and record producer who has performed a diverse range of styles as a solo artist and as a member of the band Ut ...

, under the

pseudonym A pseudonym (; ) or alias () is a fictitious name that a person or group assumes for a particular purpose, which differs from their original or true name (orthonym). This also differs from a new name that entirely or legally replaces an individua ...

"TR-i". The second of Todd's TR-I projects, following 1993's ''

No World Order ''No World Order'' is the fourteenth studio album by Todd Rundgren (credited to TR-i). It was released on July 6, 1993, for the Philips CD-i, making it the first interactive album in history. Its music was heavily influenced by electronica and ...

'', the album saw Rundgren play all instruments during the recording sessions. Rundgren mixes uptempo numbers, studio gimmickry, and his usual ballads on this mid-1990s release. The

Enhanced CD Enhanced CD is a certification mark of the Recording Industry Association of America for various technologies that combine audio and computer data for use in both Compact Disc and CD-ROM players. Formats that fall under the "enhanced CD" ca ...

includes interactive "play" with video experiences (on compatible computers) for every song, and listeners can play "Cast the First Stone" as a video game. "Espresso" and "Woman's World" are also interactive videos. The lyrical content is largely political and spiritual, with Rundgren expressing his outspoken views against conservatism, particularly on "Family Values" with its slams against Dan Quayle. "Tables Will Turn" is a song about social inequity and how inevitably the situation will change. "If Not Now When" expresses anger against those who claim they want positive change but are too apathetic to act. In accordance with the

humanism Humanism is a philosophical stance that emphasizes the individual and social potential and agency of human beings. It considers human beings the starting point for serious moral and philosophical inquiry. The meaning of the term "humani ...

which has always driven Rundgren's lyrics, in "The Ultimate Crime" he sings "the ultimate crime is not to care." The funky track "Espresso (All Jacked Up)" is a catchy song about travel and having fun in life which could well have scored airplay but didn't. "The Individualist" is a laid-back track utilising rapping, as on ''

'' as Rundgren reflects on his desire to see the truth of things and not be subjected to other's views of reality. It includes a humorous jab at

Prince A prince is a male ruler (ranked below a king, grand prince, and grand duke) or a male member of a monarch's or former monarch's family. ''Prince'' is also a title of nobility (often highest), often hereditary, in some European states. Th ...

's name change: ''"Change my name to some funky fresh dingbat/Like 'the artist formerly known as TR-i'"''. "Cast the First Stone" is an example of Rundgren's heavier, more raucous electronic style. In it, Rundgren rails against moral hypocrites. It is similar in feel and sentiment to songs such as "Mammon" and "Liars" on his later '' Liars'' album but also to "Fascist Christ" from ''

''. In "Beloved Infidel", a plaintive ballad, Rundgren sings sadly of how the "weak are vilified and wicked glorified"; he awaits the return of the beloved infidel, which seems a metaphor for truth, when the 'liberation bell' will be rung. "Temporary Sanity", which has a rapped middle-eight, is a protest against the insanity of the human race's obsessions with wars and vanity.

Track listing

All songs by Todd Rundgren. #"Tables Will Turn" – 8:51 #"If Not Now, When?" – 4:42 #"Family Values" – 6:42 #"The Ultimate Crime" – 4:37 #"Espresso (All Jacked Up)" – 5:51 #"The Individualist" – 7:30 #"Cast the First Stone" – 5:06 #"Beloved Infidel" – 4:11 #"Temporary Sanity" – 6:24 #"Woman's World" – 7:00

Personnel

*Todd Rundgren - lead vocal, all instruments, producer, engineer *Mary Arnold - choir *Ed Bishop - choir *John Ferenzik - choir *Jesse Gress - choir *Ann Lang - choir *Tom Nicholson - choir

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Individualist, The Todd Rundgren albums 1995 albums Albums produced by Todd Rundgren